Joshua Osatimehin, commander-general of Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give assent to the passage of its establishment bill.
Gatekeepers News reports that Osatimehin spoke about the bill on Saturday in Abuja at the end of a training session for NHFSS personnel drawn from intelligence, surveillance, and provost units.
Osatimehin noted that the bill had passed through both chambers of the national assembly and was awaiting presidential assent.
He said, “We are using this opportunity to appeal to Mr President that the bill should be assented to.”
“This will embolden our officers across the various commands to strategise with the relevant authorities so that we can take the battle to the forest and these criminal elements.”
“The assent is very important and we are really appealing to Mr President for accelerated assent.”
The NHFSS boss noted that the training was aimed at strengthening the agency’s capacity to collaborate with other security outfits in tackling crimes within forest areas.
According to Osatimehin; the intelligence department is critical to forest policing and must be well-resourced for effective performance.
He said, “So with this, I believe we have achieved a lot from different experts that have come across the security organisation.”
“The Department of State Services (DSS) was there, the military, the police, have all come to offer their parenting experience to our officers and I believe we are graduating stronger, more confident and more strategic.”
Osatimehin asked officers of NHFSS to continue working with other security agencies to address insecurity across the country.
Also speaking at the event, Ajao Adewale, Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emphasised the need for inter-agency collaboration, adding that no single agency can security operations.
He praised NHFSS for initiating the training and for its commitment to upholding high operational standards.
Adewale said the training would promote interagency cooperation and enhance intelligence-led operations within the forest zones.
The NHFSS boss said, “For you coming up with the idea shows that you are really prepared to maintain and escalate your standard of operation.”
“We commend and appreciate this initiative.
Complimenting ethical leadership is the strategic power of intelligent police.”
“By leveraging data, critical analysis and evidence-based practices, we can take our community to a greater height in terms of security and safety.”
“By collaborating and working with your organisation, we have seen that we can always extend our outreach and Nigeria will continue to be safe and secure.”
Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Kayode Raji, Deputy Director of Operations and Investigation, also lauded the initiative.
He pledged continued collaboration with NHFSS to fight crime nationwide.
